KUALA LUMPUR — The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) recently announced the seizure of 498,694 digital files in a major crackdown on online child sexual exploitation, part of a coordinated seven-country operation targeting cross-border networks involved in sharing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail said that 69 of the 101 identified CSAM facilitators in Malaysia had been tracked down and arrested following extensive intelligence-sharing with regional and international law enforcement partners, Malay Mail Online reported.
The transnational operation, named Operasi Cyber Guardian 2026, also involved Brunei, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Singapore.
The main operation ran from March 23 to April 17, with PDRM and its state units conducting simultaneous arrests nationwide between April 6 and April 8.
“Searches were performed on the premises and electronic devices of those targeted and our profiling of the identified perpetrators found that they came from various backgrounds. Those arrested were aged between 15 and 66, with all except one being male.
“A total of 124 electronic devices alongside 204,934 CSAM and 293,760 adult pornography files were also seized,” Mohd Khalid said at a press conference at the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman.
A total of 339 personnel, including support from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), were mobilised for the operation.
Following the crackdown, Mohd Khalid revealed that 171 online platforms and groups were found to be involved in distributing and selling CSAM in Malaysia.
“Some of those arrested were group administrators who offered paid access to CSAM via e-Wallet and QR payment which showed element of commercialisation by utilising the digital ecosystem to access, store and distribute CSAM,” he added.
Arrests were distributed across the country as follows: Selangor (22), Kedah and Johor (10), Penang, Perak and Pahang (9), Perlis and Negeri Sembilan (8), Kuala Lumpur (5), Kelantan, Terengganu and Sarawak (3), and Sabah and Melaka (1).
Following the arrests, 67 investigation papers (IPs) were opened, resulting in 62 prosecutions, two still under investigation, and three requiring no further action.
Mohd Khalid emphasised that the crackdown underscores PDRM’s unwavering commitment to combating online child sexual exploitation.
“Such crimes are no longer individual in nature, but have evolved into more organised, profit-driven networks operating across borders.
“PDRM views these developments seriously as online child sexual exploitation is becoming more complex, structured and wide-ranging, requiring a comprehensive approach involving intelligence, enforcement and strategic cooperation at both national and international levels,” he said.
He reiterated that strict action will be taken against anyone involved, urging the public to strengthen digital awareness and monitor children’s use of technology to minimise exposure to online threats.
“We are committed to strengthening strategic collaboration with local and overseas agencies to ensure children are protected from any form of exploitation and abuse,” Mohd Khalid added. - May 2, 2026
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